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Even after two decades writing about the personal finance aspects of housing, Elizabeth Razzi finds there’s always more to talk about. Buying and selling, improving, insuring, squabbling with the homeowners association -- whatever the housing topic, let this be your virtual back fence.

Is this the worst of it for remodelers?

The current quarter may be the worst point of the economic downturn for home remodelers, according to a report out Thursday from Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies. Spending on remodeling is likely to start increasing after this quarter ends in March, and continue rising through the rest of the year, according to the Joint Center, which publishes a Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity report.

This quarter, spending on home remodels is forecast to decline 12 percent from last year, and the second quarter may be down 8.8 percent from a year earlier. But, while the rate of annual decline is slowing, dollar amounts, quarter-to-quarter, are forecast to increase steadily through the year.

So, if you have the money--or access to credit--now may be the very best time to call a remodeler and get on his schedule.

Chat day:
Tune in at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, for the Real Estate Live chat. As always, you're welcome to get your thoughts in early.